Skoda Kodiaq to lob from $43k

SKODA Australia will undercut a number of its seven-seat SUV rivals when its high-riding Kodiaq rolls into showrooms late next month from $42,990 before on-road costs packed with standard gear.

The Kodiaq is Skoda’s first mid-size to large SUV offering and will sit above the Yeti crossover, which is also set to be replaced by a new model – likely dubbed Karoq – in the first half of next year.

It will be offered with one powertrain and in one generously equipped 132TSI 4x4 model grade from launch, with a number of available options packs to boost spec, before more variants are added down the track.

Based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform that also underpins the VW Golf and Tiguan, as well as the Skoda Octavia and Superb, the Kodiaq’s dimensions mean that it will straddle the mid-size and large SUV segments in Australia.

At 4697mm long, the Kodiaq is much smaller than large three-row SUVs such as the Mazda CX-9 (5075mm) and the Toyota Kluger (4890mm), but it is closer to seven-seat mid-sizers including the Nissan X-Trail (4640mm) and Mitsubishi Outlander (4655mm), as well as the upcoming stretched VW Tiguan Allspace (4704mm).

The Kodiaq will be more affordable than the equivalent petrol-powered seven-seat Outlander Exceed ($44,000), but it will be pricier than the highest grade three-row X-Trail ST-L that starts at $38,090.

In the large segment it will go head to head with Hyundai’s Santa Fe Active from $41,850, the Kia Sorento Si from $40,990, Mazda’s CX-9 Sport at $42,490 and the Toyota Kluger from $43,550.

Powering the sole Kodiaq variant will be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine pumping out 132kW and 320Nm, driving all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The official combined cycle fuel economy for this engine – that is also likely to see service in the upcoming VW Tiguan Allspace – is 7.6 litres per 100km.

Skoda Australia says a diesel-powered 140kW 140TDI variant will be added to the line-up later this year, while the more rugged Scout and sporty looking Sportline that made their debut at this year’s Geneva motor show, are also being considered.

The Czech brand’s Australian outpost says the Kodiaq will be offered with “the highest possible level of specification,” including a number of active safety and driver assistance features as standard.

It will be offered with fatigue detection, nine airbags, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake, Passenger Protect Assist, adaptive cruise control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, fog lights with a cornering function, multi-collision braking and electronically activated child safety lock for the rear doors.

Other standard gear includes adaptive LED headlights, keyless entry and start, dual-zone air-conditioning, automatic tailgate, adjustable second-row seating for easy third-row entry, rear window sun blinds, foldable side mirrors, an LED torch integrated into the luggage compartment, a luggage compartment net, and a pair of umbrellas in the driver and passenger doors.

The Kodiaq introduces a door edge protection, a “mechanical extending protective bumper” that the company says stops door damage in tight spaces.

Inside the Kodiaq has an 8.0-inch touchscreen housing Columbus sat-nav, eight-speaker audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alcantara seats and a multi-function flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Three option packs will be offered, including a $2500 Tech Pack that adds a more premium stereo, hands-free tailgate opening, an off-road driving mode, park assist, and Adaptive Chassis Control among other features.

A $4900 Luxury Pack with electrically adjustable front seats, lane assist, blind spot detection, black or beige leather-appointed seats, front and rear heated seats and more is also offered, as is a $5900 Launch Pack.

This includes everything from the Tech Pack, a number of options from the Luxury pack and 19-inch Anthracite wheels.

Other options include metallic/pearl effect paint for $700, a panoramic roof from $1900 and the aforementioned 19-inch wheels for $1650.